In the context of the coronavirus epidemic afflicting China, Magali Fakhry Dufresne, exhibition director, Palexpo, announced that INDEX and Palexpo SA are carefully observing the situation and its possible implications for its employees, exhibitors and visitors.

Palexpo is in regular contact with the General Directorate of Health of the Republic and Canton of Geneva and its medical advisor to develop a sanitary action plan adjustable in real time. This plan recommends the implementation of a program of cleaning, disinfection and prevention across public highpoints such as catering areas, WCs, handrails, public touch-screens along with the use of correct cleaning/sanitizing materials and products. This awareness campaign will be aimed at staff, exhibitors and visitors. In this process, Palexpo is following the recommendations of the competent public health authorities in the field, namely the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).

Palexpo confirms that INDEX20 will proceed as planned and that so far, there have been no registration impact on the event.

"We also strongly recommend that you keep yourself up to date with the information from these authorities, so that you can react as best as possible to potential questions from your employees and partners," Fakhry Dufresne says.

For practical questions, a hotline is available at the FOPH: +41 (0)58 463 00 00 as well as online information https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov.html

The recommendations of the Council of State of the Republic and Canton of Geneva are also available here: https://www.ge.ch/document/point-nouveau-coronavirus-2019-ncov

To protect yourself, Palexpo also recommends that visitors follow carefully the recommendations of the WHO (World Health Organisation): https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

So far, no case has been recorded in Switzerland.